The following assignments include various learning activities, such as questions, lists, essays, charts, comparisons, contrasts, and surveys. To receive credit for this lesson, you must complete the number of assignments indicated below and submit them to your institute instructor or administrator. You may submit your work either electronically or on paper, handwritten or typed.
Each lesson should take approximately 60–90 minutes to complete, the same amount of time you would typically spend in a weekly institute class. Since reading the scripture block listed in the lesson heading is expected of all institute students prior to class, the estimated time for each assignment does not include the time you need to spend reading the scripture block.
Complete assignment 3 and any two of the remaining assignments:
1. Isaiah 48. Israel Invited to Repent
The Book of Mormon helps us understand Isaiah’s writings. In 1 Nephi 19 the prophet Nephi explained why he was about to quote Isaiah 48–49. Isaiah 48 is about God’s dealings with the Jews. Isaiah 49 is about God’s dealings with the Nephites. In 1 Nephi 19:21, Nephi wrote “and he surely did show unto the prophets of old all things concerning them [the Jews]; and also did show unto many [prophets] concerning us [the Nephites]; wherefore, it needs be that one know concerning them.” Nephi then quoted Isaiah 48–49 from the brass plates to show God’s dealings with these two branches of the house of Israel in different parts of the world.
For verses 4, 6, 8, write one word you think best describes what the Lord said about the Israelites. (Your words do not have to be from the verses.)
From Isaiah 48:9–22 make a list of promises the Lord made to the straying Israelites.
Describe in writing what the Lord said we must do in order to have peace and happiness (see D&C 59:23).
2. Isaiah 49:18–23; 51, 54, 62. The Gathering of Israel
Read Isaiah 49:1–3 and the institute student manual commentary for Isaiah 49:1–3, “Thou Art My Servant, O Israel, in Whom I Will Be “Glorified” (pp. 191–92). Explain in writing how in these verses Isaiah referred to Joseph Smith and the Restoration of the gospel in the latter days.
Read Isaiah 49:18–23 and the student manual commentary for Isaiah 49:18–21, “Israel’s Latter–day Gathering Shall Be Rapid and Sustained” (p. 193), and Isaiah 49:22–26, “How Will the Gentiles Be Nursing Fathers and Mothers to Israel?” (p. 193–94). Write a paragraph or two about how these verses might relate to the recent history of the development of the state of Israel.
3. Isaiah 50; 52–53. Prophecies of the Messiah and His Suffering
Read Isaiah 50:5–7; 1 Nephi 19:9; Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19 and the student manual commentary for Isaiah 53:4–9, “He Was Wounded for Our Transgressions” (pp. 197–98). Write a few sentences on what these scripture passages teach you about:
- What the Savior endured to accomplish the Atonement.
- What motivated Him to fulfill the Father’s will.
- How this affects your life.
Read the verses in the middle column of the chart below. Then read Isaiah 53 looking for a verse or verses that correspond to the event you read about in the middle column. In the third column, briefly describe the principles of the matching verses.
- How is the message of these verses one of comfort?
- How can we come to better understand God’s thoughts and ways?
- Give an example of when you have observed a clear example of God’s ways being higher than man’s ways.
5. Isaiah 56–58. Sabbath Day and Fasting
Read Isaiah 56:1–8; 58:13–14; Doctrine and Covenants 59:9–16. Imagine you were preparing a 5–10 minute lesson about the Sabbath day for family home evening or Sunday School. Outline how you would teach the principles in these verses pertaining to keeping the Sabbath day holy.
Read Isaiah 58:3–12 and complete the following tasks in writing:
- Write a paragraph about what fasting is and one about what fasting is not.
- How do you think fast offerings help fulfill the purposes of fasting as Isaiah taught? Which verses support these purposes?
- List the blessings that can come from fasting (see student manual commentary for Isaiah 58:8–12, “Promises for Those Who Fast Properly,” p. 205).
- Read Isaiah 58:7; Mosiah 4:26. What are we able to do with the cost of the meals we skipped from our fasting? What did King Benjamin say was a blessing to us when we “impart of [our] substance to the poor”?
6. Isaiah 63–65. The Second Coming and Millennial Reign of Jesus Christ
- What did Isaiah see the Lord wearing?
- According to these scriptures, why will the Lord be attired in this way?
- What do we learn from these verses about the Atonement and Second Coming?
- What will the redeemed say when He comes?
- What do these scriptures teach about the wicked during this period of time?
List what you learn about the Millennium from Isaiah 65:17–25 (making note of the Joseph Smith Translation change in Isaiah 65:20) and from Doctrine and Covenants 101:30–31. From what you listed, what would you most like to experience if you were to live during the Millennium? Why?